NBA FASTBREAK Where It All Started

A Pimp Named Stern should know that once you let the Jennie out of the bottle its hard to put it back in Remember the first time you got to stay out all night. It was over for your parents after that. They couldn't tell you shit. Well A Pimp Named Stern faces a similar dilemma with his employees in the NBA. Ask yourself a question when did coaches and front office personel lose the ability to controll their franchise players. I'm not talking about your Will Perdues or Smush Parkers. I am talking about your Kobe's, LeBron's,Peyton's,and so on. I Romeo Igromo the man you count on to tell you like it is is going to tell you when all this selfish ass, primadona, diva shit started to happen. It started back in the 1982 season after Paul Westhead had taken over for Lakers coach Jack McKinney following a severe bicycling accident. Westhead led the Lakers to a title in 1980, but a knee injury to Magic Johnson slowed them down and they were eliminated in the first round by the Houston Rockets in 1981. At the start of 1982 Tragic Johnson complained about his role in the offense and with Westhead. Tragic spoke out after a game against Utah and Buss fired Westhead. Tragic's quote at that time was "DON'T BLAME ME, I JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN". He said the offense was unimaginative and that they weren't getting enough shots. That's not a sound enough reason to get a coach fired, but nevertheless it happened, Pat Riley took over and 4 rings later the rest was history. After hearing how different Tragic was back when he was in his early 20's. How in the hell can you blame Iverson for being defiant or for today's players to put their brands and financial needs ahead of the teams. After Tragic came a man named Michael Air Jordan. Up until 1991 the NBA was all about team. Yeah you had talented individuals like Magic,Bird,Wilkins,Isiah and Kareem, but the NBA was defined by the style and play of the two coasts.The East was known for playing hard, being tough and was led by the Celtics. The West was known for uptempo, high flying basketball and was led by The Showtime Lakers. Jordan who was already controversial because of his Jordan Brand shoes that were banned at one time , aimed to show the world that he could win a title all by himself. Scoring leaders and solo acts don't win rings. You have to be unselfish and fit into a team concept is what the pundits said. Six rings later everyone wanted to be like Mike and the age of individual over team was on. A whole generation of players grew up watching Mike and emulating his style on the court only one problem Stern and Madison Ave didn't like it. Its one thing to have Magic smiling or Jordan wagging his tongue. Its another to have Iverson with corn rolls, Kemp grabbing his nuts, Sprewell choking out coaches, and Isiah Ryder breaking laws. Stern bough all of this shit on himself when he accepted what Magic and Jordan did , because it padded his motherfucking pockets. The minute the sponsors or media complained he wanted to go back to the way things used to be. I know times change , but look at the NBA now compared to what it used to be. The guys now are like rock stars. They have their own brands and it is no way in hell they are going to go from being a headliner like Prince to being a backup like Tito or Jermaine. The Frozen One Queen James held a 30 minute special to announce where he was taking his talents to. Carmello Anthony orchestrated his way onto the Knicks. Chris Paul schemed his way out of New Orleans and Dwight Howard is looking to do the same with Orlando. In an effort to get his league back A Pimp Named Stern put in a dress code policy,a penalty for leaving your bench during  fights,technicals for players showing emotion and talking to refs, and zone defenses to encourage team ball over individual exploits.Has it worked no. The games are still announced as Queen James vs The Mamba. Attendance is still down across the league if you aren't in Boston, L.A.,New York or Chicago and last but not least no franchise player wants to play in a small market except for Kevin Durant. The lockout was supposed to address these issues, but instead it was all about money. If A Pimp Named Stern really wanted to preserve the image of the NBA he would have never allowed things to get to this point. The day Tragic fired Westhead coaches around the league lost their stroke. How do you get it back? At this point it would take a lot of work and expertise and that's an article for another day. But I will tell you this A Pimp Named Stern is to blame for creating this monster and if he really wanted to change things just pick up the phone and call Roger Goodell he is full of answers. I'm out like the Dallas Mavericks chances of repeating.

THE NFL LOWDOWN WEEK #15 2011

I hear that a poll was conducted amongst 10 Wisconsin cheese heads and they decided that the Packers were really America's Team. Really, Really,how dare you bastardize and show total disrespect to the title that one and I mean just one franchise THE DALLAS COWBOYS has held since Eve lied,schemed and coerced Adam into partaking of the forbidden fruit. The fact that I am even commenting on this outlandish bullshit should tell you how much of an ingredious and sacrilegious act I consider this. Outside of GreenBay no one gives a damn about the Packers and to suggest otherwise would be simply uncivilized. The title of  America's Team is not simply a nickname or catchphrase it is a way of life. To be considered America's Team you have to be able to move the dial and capture every one's imagination. Win, Lose, or Draw everyone wants to see the Dallas Cowboys. You don't have to be the most popular just the most talked about. For a man with no rings Tony Romo is the most scrutinized and analyzed QB not named Tim Tebow. Aaron Rodgers can't say the same even though his team is the defending Super Bowl champions. From the uniforms, to the star on the helmet,to the legendary hole in the roof stadium that allowed God to watch his favorite team the Cowboys have always transcended the game. Lambeau Field and cheeseheads or the Billion Dollar Playground and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. You decide.Outside of the Denver, New England game all of the top rated games this season have one thing in common they featured America's Team. It takes more than some bratwurst, a fucking leap, public ownership and some cheese to make you America's Team. In the future whenever you want to take a national poll talk to people who don't consider marriage to cousins to be legal and indoor plumbing to be a luxury. Now onto the LowDown.

• Is Jerry Jones getting soft in his old age because he admitted that he was scared to death of the Eagles. Respect is one thing but fear is not allowed on the fucking football field in the NFL. If Jerry Jones fears the sub 500 Eagles he must wet the bed and be terrified of the Steelers, Ravens, Pats and Packers. Once again Jerry do me a favor and shut the fuck up.
• Once again cut this Aaron Rodgers for MVP shit out and give the award to the best player in football Tom Brady. Branch,Welker,Hernandez, and Gronkowski. Sounds like the village people or a bad law firm. No running game, the 33rd rank defense( I KNOW THERE ARE ONLY 32 TEAMS, BUT THE DEFENSE IS SO BAD THEY ARE WORST THAN LAST PLACE IF THAT IS POSSIBLE) throwing to receivers that you have never heard of and having to carry his team week in and week out makes him my MVP.Oh and I forgot he did the impossible and walked on water while defeating Tebow.
• Megatron is the best closer in Sports not named Kobe or Mariano Rivera. Memo to the Lions: Try throwing to him often and early and you may actually have a lead going into the 4th quarter.
• You know trash talking has gotten out of hand when someone named Victor Cruz is talking shit to Revis Island. Cruz couldn't get his ass off of Deangelo Hall island last week.
• If the Cowboys want respect from the news media beat the Eagles this week and the Giants next week no questions asked.
• Sorry it was so short , but holiday shopping was a priority.
• I'm out like the Eagles.

THE NFL LOWDOWN WEEK#14 2011

Did Jerry Jones make a deal with the devil when he bought the Cowboys or is it something else greater at work when we talk about the failures of the Dallas Cowboys after winning their third Superbowl in four years back in the 90's? Sunday nights loss to the Giants was just another in a long line of disappointing performances by the Cowboys. Shit is so bad right now that the stupidity and moronic play of the Cowboys has been taken to Chicago via Marion Barber. Did you say how he ran out of bounds to stop the clock for Tebow and how his fumble on that break away play that could have won the Bears the game opened the way for the game winning field goal for Denver. The Cowboys were up 12 with 5 minutes to go in the game win that wackass defense of Rob Ryan's commenced to making dudes on the Giants receiving core look like Rice, Irvin and Moss. There was a 35 yard punt, an overthrow of Austin that would have put the game away, followed by a block field goal sandwiched in between some of the dumbest ass penalties that I have ever seen in my life that set the stage for yet another Cowboy meltdown.. All of this shit happened in 5 minutes. Comedy or tragedy at its finest depending on which side of the fence you stand on. Jerry Jones needs to take responsibility for this shit and fire his own ass for forcing the rest of to have to watch this shit. He bought in that buffoon ass clueless moron in Jason Garrett and that fake ass Ryan named Rob. If it wasn't for his last name he wouldn't even have a fucking job.Clueless bastard. This is the 3rd time this year that the fucking defense has given up a 12 point lead in the 4th quarter. Prior to that it has only happened twice in the history of the franchise. I need a fucking DNA test done on Rob to proove that he is really a Ryan, because the Ryan's that I know would have fucking punched somebody or threw somebody under the bus for this bullshit. Garrett once again blew clock management and looked helpless as the game got away from the Boys. Am I emotional yes. More than a woman in her early stages of pregnancy, but that doesn't change shit. Where is the accountability, the anger, the heartache. Newman dropped a pick 6 and went back to the huddle like aw shucks let's go get them again. What? Ed Reed would have fell on his knees and asked God why? Ray Lewis would have jumped up and down so hard in frustration that he might have torn an ACL in the process.James Harrisson would have flat out just hit someone illegally. Sugh would have stomped a motherfucker on the head and said he was just cleaning off his cleats, but you get the picture. The bottom line is failure with the Cowboys comes with the territory and their is no price to pay for it. Until that part of the equation changes neither will the Cowboys fortunes. Now onto the motherfucking LOWDOWN.

• HIGH FIVE:
• 1)PACKERS(13-0) Will losing Jennings hurt them at all? No
• 2)RAVENS(10-3) Suggs is becoming the lead man on the Bmore Bullies
• 3)STEELERS(10-3) Stop Ben and you stop the Steelers
• 4)PATS(10-3) Its hard to bet against Brady
• 5)SAINTS(10-3) Any other year Brees would be MVP
• IGROMO'S THOUGHTS ON WEEK#14
• Tebow in the 4th quarter is about as automatic as the Cowboys blowing 4th quarter leads. If there is a such thing as must see TV its Tebow. Stop trying to explain his success, because he is an unconventional player playing a conventional position. Enough said.
• The Cowboys secondary is absolutely terrible. They couldn't cover a baby with a blanket. They blitz they get beat. They drop back they get beat. Man to man they get beat. Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick and Ball are the worst collection of non talented buffoons I have ever had the displeasure of watching. Rob I'M A RYAN IN NAME ONLY is supposed to coach these motherfuckers up. They don't cover and they don't hit. What good are they then? For the Cowboys sake they better address this matter in the draft and free agency, because they can't win with this group.
• I like the fact that the Pat's offensive cordinator got in Brady's face after he threw that pick late in the Deadskins game. Bellicheck lives by the creed of no one man is above the crew. That is why when Brady was injured three years ago and missed the entire season Cassell took over and they didn't miss a beat. In Patriotville if Brady can get in trouble God help the rest of us. That is how great organizations are run. Its about the name on the front of the jersey not the back that counts.
• Can someone tell Jerry Jones where Ball So Hard University is so that he can send his scouts there to draft players? Founding Member T-Sizzle is cementing himself as the Ravens most dominating and best player on the team not defense. He dominated the Colts with his 3 sacks 3 forced fumbles performance and he is now 3rd in the NFL in sacks with 13. Right now he has my vote for NFL Defensive Player of The Year and keep in mind he is doing this with Sugar Ray hurt and Ed having a down year.
• Remember the famous Michael Irvin line of give the man his due when talking about Switzer after he won a SuperBowlSchaub and Williams out Wade Phillips defense has continued to carry the Texans and they have not missed a beat.Only time will tell if this ferry tale saga will have a good ending, but as of right now they are the #1 seed in the AFC.
• Don't look now, but here comes the Jets. Does anyone circle the wagons better than them? Left for dead three weeks ago they are now the 6th seed and starting to find a rhythm. I have a theory that after a while playing all of these pressure packed games takes a tole on you and wears you out. One of these days the Jets are going to see the importance of consistency and then and only then will they take their rightful place as champions.
• It's a damn shame that Eli has no fear of the billion dollar playpen in Dallas and treats the stadium like its a home game every year since he broke it in with a win.
• Some cities don't know how good they have it. The Bengals have a winning record and they still don't sell out. What would it look like if they were losing.
• If in Brian Urlacher's words Tim Tebow is a good running back then what does that make sorry ass Bears QB Caleb Hanie?
• Really! Can someone please tell me what firing your coach just before Christmas means? I guess  Miami and KC did it  to show the fans that they are committed to winning.

• The best player on a bad team award goes to Marshawn Lynch. His ankle breaker on Ray Lewis a couple of weeks ago still has Lewis hurt and unable to play.
• DeAngelo Hall continues to show what Deadskin pride is all about. When faced with the toughest decision possible for a defensive player to make should I help gang tackle Gronkowski or not Hall chose to do the Haynesworth and just watch Gronkowski pull away for additional yardage. I guess that is what they teach you at the Shannahan academy in D.C.
• Was that Frank Walker the ex Raven I saw doing his best Cowboys impersonation of a corner by holding and getting beat constantly in the Giants game. You are scraping the bottom of the barrel when you bring his non talented ass in. Was Elvis Toast Patterson to busy to bring in. The Pats would rather have their players play both ways before they sign buffoons off the street like Walker. Another excellent pick up by Jerry Jones.
• Memo to players in the league don't establish a reputation of running mouth and calling coaches bitches, because one day it will catch up with you. Derrick Mason has been cut yet again this time by the Texans. With the loss of Johnson the 58 yr old Mason who now runs a 6.8 40 couldn't understand why he is not getting more touches. He believed that his 6 catches for 55 yards over 7 weeks spoke for itself. When reached for comment all Kubiak could say was this is not 2002.
• If I was GM for the Cowboys I would bring in Tiki Barber for the rest of the season. The Pats cut Sammy Morris and then you bring him in. You know how bad you have to be when a team that runs three wide on 3rd and 1 cuts your ass.The Boys play the Giants on the last game of the year and what better way to pump your team up than to go in Giants stadium and have Tiki inspire your team to victory. Just a thought. Anything is better than Sammy Morris.
• I'm out like Andrew Lucks Heisman moment.

THE NFL LOWDOWN WEEK #12 2011

• Lost in all of this talk about Tebowmania is what is really the driving force behind the Broncos impressive winning streak. When I look at the landscape of the NFL I see a league in which everyone for whatever reason wants to throw the football every down like the old BYU Cougars or San Diego Chargers. Now don't get me wrong with the the current rule changes that benefit offenses and the lack of talent on most teams in the secondary it would seem foolish on your part if you didn't throw the ball more. The only problem with becoming a passing team is you better have the personnel necessary to win shootouts and a QB that can single handily destroy opposing defenses while limiting turnovers and mistakes. In other words if you don't have Brees,Peyton,Rodgers,Big Ben, or Brady STOP IT, JUST STOP IT. Whether it was designed or if it just happened by the you got your chocolate in my peanut butter or you got your peanut butter in my chocolate theory The Broncos are utilizing the oldest formula in the books. Run the ball, Play good defense,Run the ball,Play good special teams,Run the ball,win the field position battle, Run the ball,Don't turn the ball over and then if it is absolutely necessary and your team is losing in the 4th quarter then you pass the ball. John Fox has decided that with the personnel that he currently has the best chance for the Broncos to win is to utilize Tebows skills as a runner and control the the pace as best he can. If more head coaches actually did what was best for their teams rather than trying to force their teams to run plays that their skill sets aren't designed for the NFL would not only put forth a better product, better more athletes would get a shot at playing in the NFL. Tebow's skill set currently won't allow him to go out and match NFL QB's throw for throw, but if the game is on the line and he gets the ball who right now is doing a better job of winning games. Tebowmainia is not just about a Tebow, but it is a combination of things old and present and the next time you watch the Broncos win and your team lose ask yourself why can't we do that when our personnel is 10 times better than theirs. The Broncos last five victims are doing just that.
• HIGH FIVE:
• 1)PACKERS(11-0)- They can have 16-0 if it means a playoff loss is in their future.
• 2)RAVENS(8-3)- Unbeatable as long as they play elite teams.
• 3)PATS(8-3)- They are the most scrutinized team in the NFL, because they have Brady and no defense
• 4)SAINTS(8-3)-Their is no place like Dome. Need to find the heart and courage to win in the cold on the road.
• 5)STEELERS(8-3)-Health and the Ravens are their only concerns.
• MVP WATCH:
• 1)Aaron Rodgers- I don't dickride.
• 2)Tom Brady- The best thing going today.
• 3)Drew Brees- His numbers are ridiculous
• 4)Matt Forte- Poor mans Marshall Faulk
• 5)Wade Phillips- For getting that defense to perform at a high level all year without their best player.
• IGROMO'S THGOUGHTS:
• If the Cowboys want to win the division and make a run in the playoffs the secondary has got to play better. Matt Moore,Rex Grossman, and Mark Sanchez look like Pro Bowl QB's while facing the Cowboys. The most embarrassing moment occurred when Newman put that sleeper hold slash piggyback ride maneuver on Brandon Marshall and he still caught the ball. At this rate Tebow would fuck around and throw for 300 yards on them.
• Stephen A. said that when he critiques Tony Romo unfair or not he expects more from him, because he is the QB of the Dallas Cowboys aka America's Team. I agree when you play for the Cowboys, Lakers, or Yankees nothing short of championships are expected from you. Anything else is considered failure. Romo's play would be acceptable on any other team, but on Dallas you have to produce in the postseason or accept being criticized.
• When it comes to arrogance I think Sean Payton has even Bill Bellicheck beat.The Saints showed the world Monday night that they are playing by BCS standards which mean the game is never over and all they want to do is humiliate, break records and run up the score. In Payton's mind he is competing with the Packers for supremacy and he is hellbent on having the best offense in football, but at what cost. All your games won't be in the dome and sooner or later the weather will dictate that you play a more conservative game, but will your ego allow you too.
• Tiki will never let bygones be bygones. He is still taking shots at Coughlin and the Giants and this time he is telling the truth. I can't stand the Giants, but why would a team with a great pass rush and Goliath in their backfield not run more often. Did you honestly think you were going to go into WHO DAT NATION'S HOUSE and beat them in a shootout. Asinine
• What better way to ensure that you go 0-16 than to fire your defensive coordinator with five weeks left in the season and refuse to acquire Kyle Orton off of waivers. I guess they need to get a better look at Dan Orlovsky to see if he is worth maxing out.
• The Dolphins are a couple of players away from playoff contention. Matt Moore looks like a keeper.
• The Ravens play Cleveland in what amounts to the Brown's Superbowl. They better bring their A game.
• The Eagles learned what the Phillies already knew. You can't buy championships or else Daniel Snyder and the Deadskins would have 10 by now.
• When Norv is fired at the end of the year the Cowboys would be smart to hire him as an their offensive coordinator.
• Rex Ryan is about two seasons away from catching heat like Tom Coughlin does unless he replaces Sanchez. Then it will buy him some more time. Head coaches typically fire coordinators or change QB's to keep themselves from getting fired.
• Why hasn't McNabb asked for his release in wake of all the injuries to QB'S over the past couple of weeks. I guess he is content and his days as a starter are truly behind him. When Jake Delhome and Jeff Garcia get calls then there is no excuse for McNabb not to put his services out there.
• I'm out like Dwight Howard in Orlando.

THE NFL LOWDOWN WEEK#11 2011

Tony Romo is the most scrutinized athlete this side of "THE FROZEN ONE" Queen James. He has never been involved in a scandal, held a press conference to announce where he was taking his talents too, or even said anything controversial about mgmt.,  teammates or opponents. His only sin in life is failing to deliver on a Superbowl win in a town where nothing less is accepted.I have watched Tony Romo from the beginning and even though he has come up short in the playoffs he had a lot of help along the way. Bad coaching, teammates with their own agenda,a meddlesome owner and untimely mistakes have all played a big part in the Cowboys lack of success. Despite all of the accolades and regular season success Romo has enjoyed something still bothers me. Romo's play for whatever reason usually decides the outcomes of Cowboys games. This year alone he has played the leading role in loses to the Jets and Lions and victories over the Deadskins and 49ers. In a game in which he threw 3 TD passes,0 ints and led his team on the game winning drive ESPN still found negative shit to say about Romo. They talked about how 3 of his throws could have easily been intercepted and that with Romo you have to take the good with the bad. You can say that about everybody in the league. He has fewer turnovers than Brady and Brees, but until he wins the big one he will not be cut any slack. Like it or not Romo has been into this position and the mission is his if he chooses to accept. Bring home a ring for the Cowboys and all will be forgotten. In closing it is  SAD WHEN THE ONE PLAY THAT YOUR CAREER HAS BEEN DEFINED BY IS YOU FUMBLING AWAY A FIELD GOAL ATTEMPT AND BEING TACKLED JUST SHORT OF THE GOALINE. Claim your ranking amongst the leagues best and win it all and shut all of your naysayers the fuck up. Now onto the LowDown.

• HIGH FIVE:
• 1)Packers (10-0) Let the dick riding on their road to perfection begin.
• 2)Pats (7-3) Brady can make anyone look like an all pro. Tell Rodgers to try that.
• 3)Ravens (7-3) When they play like they did yesterday they show you why they are the truth.
• 4)49ers (9-1) Beat the Ravens and I will take you serious.
• 5)Steelers(7-3) Avoid the Ravens at all costs.
• MVP WATCH:
• 1)Aaron Rodgers
• 2)Tom Brady
• 3)Drew Brees
• 4)Ben Roethlisberger
• 5)Calvin Johnson
• ROMEO'S THOUGHTS:
• I don't like the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, the liberty bell, cheese steak subs,Mike Schmidt, Dr. J and I damn sure don't like DeSean Jackson. I would never pay Jackson franchise WR money, because when I say the names Calvin Johnson,Steve Smith,Andre Johnson,Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace and DeSean Jackson his name doesn't fit. Don't get me wrong he has talent he is just not a doesn't matter what type of defense they play on me just give me the damn ball type of player. That being said the play in which he got a penalty for flipping the ball to the Giants coach standing on the sideline after a 50 yard catch tells me all I need to know about Jackson. He managed to display both his game changing speed, and his need to express his high level of buffoonery in front of millions but at what costs. Who is going to invest millions in a guy who spikes football before he scores,tosses footballs at opposing coaches and has to be sent home because he is deemed a distraction.
• The Deadskins played their best football game of the year and guess what they still lost to America's Team. DeAngelo Hall needs to shut the fuck up about him needing to be cut because of his poor play, because this is the NFL dummy not the NBA and your wish can damn sure be granted.
• Wouldn't it be ironic if the Bears claimed Kyle Orton off waivers after having traded him to the the Broncos for Jay Cutler. It gets even better though. Orton could return to Denver to face Tebow on Dec 11 if the Bears are successful in claiming him.
• In the battle of the Harbaugh's what is being lost in all the hype is the fact that the 49ers are playing at a major disadvantage. The 49ers are being forced to travel across country with 4 days between games. Where as the Ravens having played at home on Sunday don't have to travel at all. What should have happened is the Ravens should have played Seattle this week instead of last week. Thereby forcing both teams to travel cross country in a 96 hour window in one of the most meaningful match ups of the year
• Everyone is in an uproar over kicker Josh Scobee calling DeSean Jackson a punk on twitter with the hashtag #growuptinybastard attached to it. What does it say about DeSean Jackosn if a kicker is willing to call his ass out?
• Because all Tebow does is win, people are now taking shots at his faith. Recently on a radio show Jake Plummer said he wished Tebow would keep his religious comments to himself when being interviewed about a football game. Ordinarily I would agree, but isn't Jake Plummer the same man that left the NFL to pursue his dream on the recreational handball tour. I'm just saying.
• Take the Cowboys, Lions and the 49ers on thanksgiving and just remember don't bet unless you have it to lose.